• Turkish employee steals gold and silver and flees to UK
• Partner arrested as authorities pursue fugitive couple

Turkish authorities reported that a courthouse employee fled to the UK carrying about 25 kilograms of gold and 50 kilograms of silver, including Ottoman-era and Atatürk-era coins, stored in the evidence safe at Istanbul Courthouse.

According to investigations, Erdal T. worked in the evidence office at Büyükçekmece Courthouse and disappeared after failing to return from leave.

The theft was discovered on December 1 when the safe was opened and found empty.

Investigations revealed that Erdal T. left Turkey on November 19 with his wife Esma T. and their children, boarding a flight from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to London at 8:22 a.m. local time.

Before leaving, he sent a WhatsApp message to friends saying, “I sold the goods, may God bless your markets,” according to authorities.

The stolen items were part of various criminal cases and court proceedings.

The public prosecutor issued arrest warrants for Erdal T., his wife, and another suspect, Kemal D., who also worked at the courthouse and had access to the safe keys.

Kemal D. was arrested at his home, while Erdal T. and his wife remain fugitives in the UK.

Authorities questioned all personnel at the evidence office, including the records director, and searched their homes, finding no evidence linking them to the theft.

Kemal D.’s detention was extended while investigators reviewed CCTV footage and phone records.

The stolen valuables had been seized previously in an operation targeting migrant smuggling. Sources indicated the theft likely occurred in mid-November, with Erdal T. allegedly using a common shopping trolley to move court files and smuggle the metals past security checkpoints.